The Supreme Minister: Overview

Hook:

Recap:

I don’t know about you guys, but i’ve been thoroughly enjoying going through this epistle with you guys. And i’m excited to see what the Lord is going to do as we spend over a year going through this letter.

So far we have gone through:

The Supreme Revelation, coving 1:1-4:13. In these chapters we covered many important topics and issues concerning our faith and how we are to live our lives.

We saw that Christ is both greater than the prophets and the angels, and that we are not to neglect our great salvation. After all Jesus Christ gave everything for us, how could be ignore this wonderful salvation we have been give.

This salvation also comes with some benefits too: 1st) Jesus secures supremacy for those who are apart of the family of God. 2nd) Jesus is our great deliverer (becoming man and dying for us, destroying the power of the devil, sin, and death. We also shouldn’t be ruled by the fear of death. But wait there’s more: Jesus also delivered us from the bondage of the flesh!).

This section closed with two very important truths: Christ is > Moses and with the second danger we come across in this letter… If we are not careful to keep Christ as the focal point of our lives, we run the risk of missing out on the rest that God can only provide.

Rest meaning: peace with God, freedom to worship according to the gospel, and enjoying the rest that God enjoys.

The Supreme High Priest [4:14-7:28] We just finished up our section recap last week so we wont spend too much time going back over this section. The important thing to remember as we go forward is that Jesus is not only qualified by man’s standards to be our High Priest, but God’s as well. He is our perfect and will be forever our High Priest. Because of this we are given access to God, through prayer. If you want to learn more about that come on out for our Wednesday night study.

The Supreme Minister [8:1-10:18]

The Supreme Author [10:19-11:40]

The Supreme examples of Endurance [12:1-29]

The Supreme Marks of Christian Conduct [13:1-25]

Introduction:

This morning we are going to cover our third overview in Hebrews. The goal of these overviews is to get us familiar with the text of our section. Where in 7 weeks, we will do an application overview of this section… Lord willing.

It is important to note that this next section is building upon what we learned about in the previous section. We are to keep in mind that Jesus is our High Priest and that because of that roll He has a duty, to be the supreme Minister.

Reading

[Ken] Hebrews 8:1-5

Hebrews 8:1–5 ESV

1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

[Ed] Hebrews 8:6-13

Hebrews 8:6–13 ESV

6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 8 For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” 13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

[Cindy] Hebrews 9:1-14

Hebrews 9:1–14 ESV

1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. 11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

[Terry] Hebrews 9:15-22

Hebrews 9:15–22 ESV

15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

[John] Hebrews 9:23-28

Hebrews 9:23–28 ESV

23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

[Thomas] Hebrews 10:1-18

Hebrews 10:1–18 ESV

1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ” 8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” 17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Christ is the High Priest [8:1-5]

Family take note of the words in verse 1: “Now the point” the word for “point” means chief point or the principle thought. Our author is about to give the principle thought of the High Priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Again what we are talking about is that He is the great High Priest; He is the One who stands between God and man, the only Person who can make us acceptable to God.

This major thought, is ministry. Jesus is the great Minister of God, the One who ministers both in heaven and upon earth for man. Both of these places are significant.

Jesus is the greatest Minister, who ministers day and night in heaven and, as the gospel of John tells us, through the Holy Spirit on earth.

In these 5 verses we will discuss, what is Jesus’ great ministry? And what is it that He does for us?

I’m really excited to pick up on this next Sunday. Here is a little sneak peek:

1 Timothy 6:15b–16 (ESV)

15b —he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Christ is the Minister of the New Covenant [8:6-13]

Our second study in this section begins with one of the great subjects of the Bible, the new covenant of God. A simple definition of a covenant is: an agreement betwen two parties. What makes this so mind boggling is the fact that this new covenant of God is the covenant of God, not mankind. What this implies is that Man has absolutely nothing to do with the terms of this covenant.

It is a covenant between God and man, but the terms are set exclusively by God. In life there are two kinds of covenants.

There is a covenant where both parties set the terms and agree to them.

The covenant where one party sets the terms, but both parties agree to them. This kind of covenant is usually called a will or testament.

The latter covenant is what we have here. God sets the terms and conditions, and man accepts the covenant or rejects is. We cannot change the terms of the covenant; we can only receive or reject.

No one will be able to argue with, refute, or try to negotiate the terms of the covenant. It stands as God has given it.

The point of this passage is to give us an understand of the new covenant of God, and that it has been established for us. Simply put, Christ’s new covenant is greater than the old covenant.

Romans 8:1–4 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Christ is the Minister of the New place of Worship [9:1-14]

How can a person become acceptable to God? How can a person gain access to God, fellowship and commune with Him? How can a person come to know God in area and personal way—so personal that the person can know that God is looking after and caring for him? How can a person fain and maintain a relationship with God?

This is the concern that the author has been dealing with from the beginning of this epistle. Showing us how mankind has tried to approach God:

Through prophets (1:1-3)

Through angels (1:4-14)

Through great men and leaders (3:1-6)

Through priest (4:14-8:5)

And as we will see through the covenants and law or by trying to be as good as they could be. (8:1-13)

The sad reality is that every one of these approaches are inadequate. They are imperfect and incomplete. The fine line of these verses is to show that Jesus Christ is the greater and more perfect Minister. It is only through His ministry that we have access to God the Father.

Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant [9:15-22]

Under the old covenant of the law man could never relate to God, not adequately and definitely not perfectly. Mankind was always failing to keep the law. Because of this everyone was condemned and cut off from God. Never having true fellowship or communion with God.

Each and every one of us needs God. We need His love and friendship, and once that vertical relationship is there then we can have genuine love and friendship horizontally with others.

There is the need to be absolved of our sins, and to truly know that we have been forgiven. delivered from our sins, iniquity, corruption, death, and condemnation.

I don’t know about you but I deeply need absolute assurance and security that God has accepted me and that I will live in the presence of God, perfected forever.

1 Peter 2:24 ESV

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Christ is the Mediator for Redemption (Part 1) [9:23-28] & Christ is the Mediator for Redemption (Part 2 [10:1-18]

As we look around us it isn’t that difficult to see that us and the world around us are sinful and imperfect. And our children are the perfect example of this, they are evil… we are evil.

The first step in realizing our problem is to face up to it and own it. Every man, woman, and child are sinful and imperfect. Therefore the need is to be cleansed from our sin. So what is the solution: It’s Jesus! He is the sacrifice we desperately need.

The solution to the world’s problems could all be solved with Jesus Christ. And this is one of those great passages of Scripture that has a bottomless reservoir of meaning. As it presents Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for sins.

Revelation 5:11–14 ESV

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Application:

How are we to apply an overview to our lives family?

It is actually quite simple, considering all that we have covered this morning.

1 John 1:5–10 ESV

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Focus in on verse 7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Family God has gone through great lengths to save your soul.

What is stopping you from living for Him completely?

What is stopping you from being a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ?

What is stopping your from being a student of the Word of God?

What is stopping you from discipling others, pointing them to Jesus Christ?

What about evangelism?

Family we are going to be held accountable for what we do with the time and gifts we have been given. We will not be judged on our sin, that has been completely wiped out. But don’t think you can simply skate through life without Jesus and not have any consequences.

Hebrews 3:12–13 ESV

12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Numbers 6:24–26 ESV

24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.